Casino card game

ABSTRACT

A card game and method of play combining features of blackjack and poker is disclosed. Like blackjack, the object of the card game is to obtain an aggregate card value nearest to twenty-one. However, each participating player is playing against all other players for a pot. The pot is formed from antes and bets made during the game. In one version, each player is dealt an initial card. The initial card may be dealt face down or face up. Like poker, after receiving the initial cards, the players, beginning with a player designated to act first, participate in at least one betting round. Depending on the game, players may fold, check, call, bet or raise during the betting round. After a first betting round, remaining players draw additional cards, if desired, to obtain an aggregate card value nearest to a pre-established total (e.g., twenty-one). The player nearest to the pre-established total, without going over, wins the pot. Other features include multiple betting rounds, blind bets and varied pre-established totals (e.g., thirty-one). A no-bust version is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/117,943 filed Apr. 29, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a casino card game. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a casino card game combining features of blackjack and poker.

BACKGROUND

As the popularity of gaming increases, players desire new games of chance. Consequently, more and more new games of chance are appearing in sales literature for gaming manufacturers, at gaming shows and in casinos. While there is no exact formula for creating a successful game of chance, often times, successful games of chance rely on modifications to existing popular games of chance.

Poker is currently the most popular game of chance wherein players play against one another. Television is the primary reason that poker popularity has exploded. Nearly all casinos and countless online websites now offer poker games. Arguably the most popular poker game is Texas Hold'em (a/k/a hold'em).

Blackjack is the most popular game of chance wherein players play against the house. Most casinos operate multiple blackjack tables having various table limits.

Even though hold'em and blackjack are very popular, they both have drawbacks. Hold'em is a complicated game requiring a great deal of experience to master. Unfortunately, obtaining that great deal of experience may result in a great deal of lost money. Blackjack is a simple game which, over time, tends to become unexciting. Specifically, once a player learns the basic or advanced strategy of playing blackjack, the player has no real gaming decisions to make.

Consequently, there is a need for a casino card game which combines the attractive features of poker and blackjack while eliminating the negative features.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are directed to a casino card game comprising blackjack and poker features. With the embodiments of the present invention, the players play against one another rather than the house. In a first embodiment, like blackjack, players attempt to obtain a hand comprising cards with an aggregate card value nearest to twenty-one, without going over. Initially, each player places an ante. Each player then receives a first face-up card. A player receiving the highest valued card must place a mandatory bet as set by the casino. In a clockwise manner, each subsequent player may match the bet or fold. Each player who placed the bet would then receive a second face up card. The player holding the highest two card value then decides to stand pat or to take another face up card. Players may use a stand pat disc or similar prop to indicate their desire to stand (i.e., take no further cards). In a clockwise manner, each other remaining player then decides whether to stand pat or take another card. During each subsequent round, if any, the player with the highest aggregate card value is the first to decide whether to stand pat or take a card. Once all players have either stood pat or busted, the game ends with the player holding the highest aggregate card value without going over declared the winner and thus being awarded the pot comprising the antes and bets minus the house rake. Like poker, the house collects or rakes a portion of the pot as its fee for offering and operating the game.

Should multiple players hold identical aggregate card values during the rounds of the game, pre-established hierarchies of suits, for example, determine which player acts first. Optionally, any two card aggregate card value of twenty-one may win the pot automatically. Tie hands at the end of play share the pot. Additional embodiments of the present invention include additional betting rounds, alternate target scores (e.g., “31”) and certain cards being dealt face down.

Other features, variations and embodiments will become evident from the detailed description, drawings and claims set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows each player's hand comprising an initial face-up card according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows each player's hand from FIG. 1 after each player has drawn a second face-up card or folded;

FIG. 3 shows each player's hand from FIG. 2 after each player has played their hand to a conclusion;

FIG. 4 shows each player's hand comprising a first face-down card according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows each player's hand from FIG. 4 with the first card turned face up for reference;

FIG. 6 shows each player's hand from FIG. 5 after each player has drawn a second face-up card or folded;

FIG. 7 shows each player's hand from FIG. 6 after each player has played their hand to conclusion;

FIG. 8 shows each player's hand comprising a first card face-up in a game played to a target score of 31;

FIG. 9 shows each player's hand from FIG. 8 after each player has drawn a second card face-up, stood pat or folded;

FIG. 10 shows each player's hand from FIG. 9 after each player has drawn a third card face up, stood pat or folded;

FIG. 11 shows each player's hand from FIG. 10 after each player has drawn a fourth face up card, stood pat or folded; and

FIG. 12 shows each player's hand from FIG. 11 played to conclusion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

The embodiments of the present invention as disclosed below combine features of blackjack and poker. By way of reference, blackjack and poker are generally described below.

Blackjack is played against a dealer and premised on a score of twenty-one. That is, players attempt to obtain hands having cards with an aggregate value nearer to twenty-one, without going over, than the dealer. After each player makes a bet, each player and the dealer initially receives two cards from one or more decks of playing cards. Typically, the player's cards are dealt face down during single deck games and face up during multi-deck games. The dealer's cards are always dealt one face up and one face down. Each player may then draw as many cards as desired in an attempt to obtain an aggregate card value nearer to twenty-one, without going over, than the dealer. The draw cards are normally dealt in the same fashion as the player's initial two cards. Blackjack rules require the dealer to draw a card or hit if the dealer's hand comprises cards having an aggregate value of 16 or less and stay if the dealer's hand comprises cards having an aggregate value of 17 or higher. If the card value of the dealer's hand exceeds twenty-one (i.e., busts), all players with non-busting hands win. If the dealer does not bust, each non-busting player's hand is compared to the dealer's hand to determine whether the player wins or loses the bet. Tie hands between the dealer and any player are deemed a push.

Poker is played against other players and is premised on possessing, or convincing your opponent that you possess, a strong poker hand. Poker hand rankings are well-known to those skilled in the art. Limit and no limit hold'em poker have become widely popular. In hold'em, one player is designated a dealer, such that he or she is the last to act during betting rounds. Two players to the left of the player designated the dealer are in the blind seats. The players in the blind seats must place pre-established bets before any cards are dealt. Then, each player is dealt two face-down cards followed by a betting round. After the first betting round, three community cards (i.e., the flop) are dealt at a center of the pokertable followed by a second betting round. All community cards form part of each player's hand. Then, a fourth community card (i.e., the turn) is dealt followed by a betting round. Finally, a fifth community card (i.e., the river) is dealt followed by a betting round. The remaining player with the strongest five card poker hand formed using any combination of the two face down cards and five community cards wins the pot. The house collects a portion of each pot as its fee for operating the game.

Like blackjack, the objective of the embodiments of the present is to obtain a hand comprising cards with an aggregate card value of twenty-one or some other pre-established card value (e.g., thirty-one). Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 shows a gaming table 100, dealer station 110, multiple player positions 115-1 through 115-7 with corresponding first cards 120-1 dealt face-up according to the first embodiment of the present invention and corresponding antes 130. Although only five hands are shown (player positions 115-6 and 115-7 are empty), any number of multiple players may participate in the game. The game may be dealt at a poker table, blackjack table or similar type table suitable for facilitating a card game. The ante amount is dictated by the casino offering the game. Different tables may have different antes depending on the type of player the casino wishes to attract. Thus, a first table may impose a small ante of $2 intended to attract new players and/or tourists and a second table may impose a $25 ante intended to attract experienced players and/or high rollers.

FIGS. 1 through 3 correspond to a game with a $5 ante and one mandatory $10 bet wherein all cards are dealt face up. Once each player has placed his or her ante 130 ($5 in this example) and been dealt his or her first card 120-1, the player holding the highest ranking card is first to act. In FIG. 1, player position 115-1 holds a 4

, player position 115-2 holds a 9

, player position 115-3 holds a 8

, player position 115-4 holds a 9♦, and player position 115-5 holds a 6♥. Should two or more players hold first cards with equal values, a hierarchy of card suits is used to determine the highest ranking card. For example, from highest to lowest the suits may be ranked spades, hearts, diamond and clubs such that a six of spades outranks a six of hearts. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, player positions 115-2 and 115-4 hold the nine of spades and the nine of diamonds, respectively, comprising the highest valued cards. Thus, pursuant to the suit hierarchy the nine spades is the highest ranking card and thus requires player position 115-2 to act first. In this first embodiment, player position 115-2 must place a mandatory bet ($10 in this example). Each successive player in a clockwise direction must then place an equivalent $10 bet or fold. For purposes of this description and as shown in FIG. 2, player positions 115-3 and 115-5 decide to fold and player positions 1154 and 115-1 decide to place the $10 wager 145. Consequently, only player positions 115-1, 115-2 and 115-4 are eligible for the pot of $55. As shown in FIG. 2, each remaining player is now dealt a second face-up card 120-2. Player position 115-1 draws a 7

, player position 115-2 draws a 9

and player position 115-4 draws a 10♦. At this point, the player with the highest valued two card hand is first to act. Accordingly, with a two card value of nineteen, player position 115-4 must act first by taking a card or standing pat. Now referring to FIG. 3, player position 115-4 stands pat by placing his or her no card button 135 adjacent to his or her cards. Player position 115-1 has drawn a second card 120-3 comprising the Q♦ and holds a sure winning hand having a value of twenty-one. Consequently, player position 1154 is eliminated as he or she is unable to select any additional cards. Player position 115-1 has drawn a second card 120-3 and third card 120-4 comprising the A

and 3

, respectively, resulting in a busted hand. Player position 115-2 was forced to draw with a hand value nineteen (i.e., 9

, 9

and A

) since he or she could only win a portion of the pot by matching the twenty-one of player position 115-1. Based on the described game, player position 115-1 wins the pot. The house may take a portion of the pot or charge a pr game fee.

FIGS. 4 through 7 correspond to a no-limit, multiple bet, game with a first card dealt face down and $5 antes. FIG. 4 shows first cards 120-1 dealt face down. Since the first cards are dealt face down, a dealer button 140 is used to designate the last to act player position of a first round. In practice, a dealer button is randomly assigned to a first player for a first game and is moved to an adjacent player in a clockwise direction for each successive game. As player position 115-1 holds the dealer button 140, player position 115-2 is the first to act in round one. In the no limit game, players may fold, check, call, bet and raise. For ease of understanding, FIG. 5 shows the first cards 120-1 in a face up position. Accordingly, player position 115-1 holds an A

, player position 115-2 holds a K♥, player position 115-3 holds a 7♦, player position 115-4 holds a 2

and player position 115-5 holds a 5♥. For purposes of this description and as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that player position 115-2 checks, player positions 115-3 and 115-4 check and player position 115-5, in an attempt to steal the pot, places a $30 bet 155. Player position 115-1, holding a first card A

, places a $60 bet 160 (i.e., raises $30). Player position 115-2, holding the K♥, places a $60 bet 160 thereby calling the raise causing player positions 115-3 and 115-4 to fold. Player position 115-5 places a second $30 bet 165 thereby calling the raise as well. The pot is now at $230. Consequently, three player positions 115-1, 115-2 and 115-5 remain eligible to win the pot. FIG. 7 shows the three player positions 115-1, 115-2 and 115-5 after each has played their hand to conclusion. As player position 115-5 shows an A

representing the highest valued face-up card, player position 115-5 is now first to act. Player position 115-5, holding a soft sixteen, places a $100 bet 170, player position 115-1, holding a nineteen, calls the $100 bet 175 and player position 115-2, holding a sixteen, folds. The pot is now at $430. Player position 115-5 must now decide whether to take a card or stand pat. Player position 115-5 decides to take a card but does not receive the card at this time. If player position 115-5 received his or her third card 120-3 face-up prior to decision of following player positions, it may provide player position 115-1 with an unfair advantage. Player position 115-1 must now decide whether to take a card or stand pat. Since a busted hand is the very likely result of taking a card with a hand value of nineteen and player position 115-1 not knowing the value of the first card 120-1 held by player position 115-5, player position 115-1 places the no card button 135 on the table indicating his or her desire to stand pat. Player position 115-5 now receives his or her third card which turns out to be a 4

giving player position 115-5 a hand value of twenty. Consequently, player position 115-5, holding a hand value of twenty, wins the $430 pot. Again, the house may take a portion of the pot or charge a fee per game.

FIGS. 8-12 illustrate an embodiment played to a target score of 31 rather than 21. FIGS. 8-12 further correspond to a game having $5 antes, a first mandatory bet of $10 and a second mandatory bet of $20. In FIG. 8, each player position 115-1 through 115-5 has placed the $5 ante 130 and been dealt a first face-up card 120-1. Accordingly, player position 115-1 holds an A♥, player positions 115-2 holds a J♦, player position 115-3 holds a 6

, player position 115-4 holds a 2♥ and player position 115-5 holds a 10♥. As player position 115-1 holds the A♥, he or she is first to act. Consequently, player position 115-1 places the $10 mandatory first bet 190. Player positions 115-1, 115-4 and 115-5 call and player position 115-3 folds. The total pot, including antes and first bets, is now $65. FIG. 9 shows each player's hand after a second face-up card 120-2 has been dealt. Player position 115-1 is dealt a 74, player position 115-2 is dealt a J

, player position 115-4 is dealt a 9♥ and player position 115-5 is dealt a 6♥. Now, based on a two card hand value of twenty, player position 115-2 is the first to act. Consequently, player position 115-2 places the$20 mandatory second bet 195. Player positions 115-4 and 115-1 place the bet as well and player position 115-5 folds. The total pot is now $125. FIG. 10 shows each player's hand after a third face-up card 120-3 is dealt. Player position 115-1 is dealt an A♥, player position 115-2 is dealt a 9♦ and player position 115-4 is dealt a Q♥. Player position 115-1 and player position 115-2 each have hand values of twenty. Since player position 115-1 holds the highest ranking card, the A♥, player position 115-1 is the first to act. However, player position 115-1 holds a hand with a value of nine, nineteen or twenty-nine depending on whether the Aces are used as one or eleven. Accordingly, player position 115-1, having many options, decides to take a card. Player position 115-2 holds a three card hand value of twenty-nine and thus stands pat by placing the no card button 135. Player position 1154 also decides the take a card. FIG. 11 shows each player's hand after the fourth face-up card has been dealt. Player position 115-1 is dealt an A♦ and player position 1154 is dealt a 9

. Player positions 115-1 and 1154 each hold hands with values of thirty. As player position 115-1 holds the highest ranking card, the A♥, player position 115-1 is first to act. Player position 115-1, having many options, decides to take a card and player position 115-4, holding a thirty, places the no card button 135. Player position 115-2 is eliminated as player position 115-4 holds a higher final hand. As shown in FIG. 12, player position 115-1 then draws two additional cards 120-5 and 120-6. The two cards are the 3

and 8♦ resulting in a six-card hand having value of thirty-one. Therefore, player position 115-1 wins the pot.

Advantageously, games played to 31 allow more betting rounds and game options. By dealing some cards face-down, the game played to 31 is further varied. Games to 31 can also have limit, pot limit and no-limit versions. A game to 31 also provides more chances to gamble as there is more opportunity for bad hands to turn into good hands and good hands to turn into bad hands.

In a no-bust embodiment, player's hand values may exceed the pre-established card total and continue to be active in the game. For example, in a game with a pre-established card total of 21, players may hold hands with values of 22, 23, etc. and remain in the game (i.e., not bust). In one version, a winning hand is solely determined by the difference between the hand value and the pre-established total. Therefore, hand values of 18 and 24 are equivalent since both values differ by three from the pre-established total of 21. In other words, there is no penalty for going over the pre-established total. Accordingly, if the two best hand values in the game were 18 and 24, the corresponding players would split the pot.

In another version, a hand value below the pre-established total is deemed stronger than a similar hand value over 21. Consequently, a hand value of 18 is declared a winning hand over a hand value of 24. Even though both values differ by three from the pre-established total of 21, the hand value below 21 is deemed the winning hand. However, a hand value of 23 is deemed a winning hand over a hand value of 18 based the difference of two rather than three from the pre-established total of 21. Accordingly, if multiple hand values, including at least one hand value less than the pre-established total and at least one hand value over the pre-established total, differ from the pre-established total by an equivalent magnitude, the hand value or hand values below the pre-established total are deemed the winning hand or winning hands, respectively. This rule injects additional strategy and logic into the game as players must consider the true value of hands over the pre-established total.

Optionally, regarding any embodiment where the initial two cards are dealt face up, should any player be dealt blackjack comprising any two cards totaling twenty-one, the player automatically wins the game and the pot comprising the antes and bets minus the house rake. Multiple blackjacks on the initial deal result in a split pot. Alternatively, the player holding the highest ranking card by suit may win the entire pot.

Another optional feature is the incorporation of blind bets. Blinds are mandatory bets placed by one or more players in advance of receiving any cards. Usually the blinds are the obligation of one or two players positioned to the left of the player designated by the dealer button 140.

Other gaming structures exist besides those disclosed above. For example, the first two cards can be dealt face down or all cards can be dealt face down. Also, there can be multiple betting options within each betting round (e.g., bet, raise and re-raise) with various types of bets (e.g. limit, pot limit and no-limit).

The embodiments of the present invention incorporate strategy into the game of blackjack which has been heretofore a very mechanical game. In other words, conventional blackjack is played following a precise strategy without significant betting options. Further more, like poker some embodiments of the present invention will incorporate the ability to read other players and the ability to bluff.

While the above description is directed to a live gaming environment, it is just as possible to facilitate the embodiments of the present invention via a global computer network like the Internet. Identically to online poker, the blackjack/poker game described herein is ideal for online play such that players from remote locations may play the game over their own personal computer. Indeed, many current online poker websites may decide to offer one or more games disclosed and claimed herein. Those skilled in the art will be able to easily, and without undue experimentation, implement the embodiments of the present invention in a computer network arrangement. The embodiments of the present invention may be used to facilitate a game show as well.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. 

1. A method of conducting a card game comprising: providing at least two players at least one initial card from one or more standard decks of playing cards; permitting a player designated first to act to at least fold or bet; permitting each successive player to at least fold or bet; after each player elects to at least fold or bet, permitting each player to draw one or more additional cards in an effort to obtain a hand comprising cards having an aggregate value nearest to a pre-established total wherein said aggregate value may be below, equal to or above the pre-established total; and after each player has drawn all of his or her cards, awarding a pot, comprising all or a majority of the bets placed during the game, to the player holding a hand comprising cards with an aggregate value nearest to the pre-established total.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said pre-established total is twenty-one.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said pre-established total is thirty-one.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising requiring all players to place antes prior to receiving any cards.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the pot further comprises the antes.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising requiring at least of the one or more players to place blind bets prior to receiving any cards.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein each player is provided with one initial card.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the initial card is provided face up.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the initial card is provided face down.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is facilitated by a global computer network.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said method facilitates a game show.
 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising designating a player with a highest initial card value as the first to act.
 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising permitting players to check and raise.
 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising declaring a hand with an aggregate value below the pre-established total a winning hand over a hand with an aggregate value over the pre-established total when both hand values differ from the pre-established total by an equal magnitude.
 15. A method of conducting a card game comprising: dealing at least two players one initial card from one or more standard decks of playing cards; allowing a player designated first to act to fold, check or bet; allowing each successive player to fold, check, call, bet or raise; after each player has acted, permitting each player to draw one or more cards during each of one or more game rounds in an effort to obtain an aggregate card value nearest to twenty-one, said players being allowed to fold, check, call, bet or raise during each game round; and after each player has drawn all of his or her cards, awarding a pot, comprising all or a majority of all bets placed during the game, to a player holding a hand comprising cards with an aggregate value nearest to twenty-one.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the initial card is dealt face down.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the initial card is dealt face up.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprising requiring at least one of the one or more players to place blind bets prior to receiving any cards.
 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising requiring all players to place antes prior to receiving any cards.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein said method is facilitated by a global computer network.
 21. The method of claim 15 further comprising designating a player with a highest initial card value as the first to act.
 22. The method of claim 15 further comprising declaring a hand with an aggregate value below the pre-established total a winning hand over a hand with an aggregate value over the pre-established total when both hand values differ from the pre-established total equally.
 23. A method of conducting a card game combining features of blackjack and poker comprising: requiring each player to pay an ante; requiring at least one player to place a blind bet; dealing each player a first card from one or more standard decks of playing cards; allowing each player to fold, check, call, bet or raise in response to receiving the one initial card; permitting each player to draw one card, if desired, during each of one or more game rounds in an effort to obtain an aggregate card total nearest to twenty-one, said players being allowed to fold, check, call, bet or raise during each game round; and after each player has drawn all of his or her cards, awarding a pot, comprising all or a majority of bets and antes placed during the game, to a player holding a hand comprising cards with an aggregate value nearest, to twenty-one wherein a hand with an aggregate value below twenty-one is declared a winning hand over a hand with an aggregate value over twenty-one when both hand values differ from the pre-established total by an equal magnitude.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein said method is facilitated by a global computer network.
 25. The method of claim 23 further comprising designating a player with a highest initial card value as the first to act. 